As far as American cafés go, the Bourgeois Pig is in a class all its own. It sprang from humble beginnings in 1993 when a 28-year-old traveler named F. Mason Green, who after years of backpacking through Europe and visiting many of the continent’s most fabled coffeehouses, plopped down just enough money to secure his own café upon his return. And it’s been a Chicago institution ever since. But despite this popular haunt’s ubiquity to the Windy City, the Bourgeois Pig was no impulse buy.
Iceland has long maintained a reputation for being one of the most serene and otherworldly landscapes on the planet. The stark, natural beauty of this remote land has garnered more than just fleeting interest from tourists from all over the globe. For years, one of the key attractions has been the thermal pools and hot springs that populate the countryside. And, with the impending completion of what looks to be the Rolls Royce of outdoor luxury experiences, there will be even greater reason to visit.
When you think of watching movies under the stars, your mind may immediately cut to images of the age-old American pastime of the drive-in theaters, which have since witnessed their own type of renaissance and resurgence in popularity. The romance, the entertainment, the personal touch—all of these elements are brought to the forefront when indulging in alfresco cinema. But is there a way to take this quintessentially American experience and make it… better? A dedicated crew of French culture enthusiasts seems to think so.
For any artist, the ability to create a message and showcase a work for the world to see is the ultimate goal. But what if your finished work ends up displayed somewhere completely out of sight—like, at the bottom of the ocean? One artist has made a career of this method, putting his hyper-realistic sculpting work to use in a meaningful way by showcasing it in a location where few are likely to see it—because that’s the point.
Over the years, the advancements made in crime scene studies have helped capture countless criminals and brought justice to an even greater number of victims and their families. Frances Glessner Lee, a curator of dollhouse-sized crime scene dioramas, is perhaps one of the least likely candidates to serve this role. At first glance, that is.
Florida has a long and storied association with aquatic life. It is, after all, one of the few U.S. states almost entirely surrounded by water. For decades, people have flocked to Florida’s shores looking for magic in one form or another. And many of them have their sights set on something greater than your average aquarium. For those visitors, there’s Weeki Wachee—a throwback resort featuring, among other things, performing mermaids.
Big Major Cay is one of the many uninhabited islands within The Bahamas. Uninhabited by people, that is. The locals, roughly 20 pigs and piglets, populate the area’s plentiful beaches and routinely cool off by swimming in the turquoise waters. Sounds adorable, right? Well, best of all, they love visitors.
Nobody would blame you for wanting to get away. Having spent the better part of three months cooped up in our familiar surroundings, the urge to travel has never been greater. If you do decide to fly the coop, there are a few unique places to stay throughout Texas—where there’s never a dull moment. Check out five of the most amazing Texas rentals on Airbnb.
In Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood lies a building that looks like it came right out of a children’s storybook. This is Ohio’s very own Mushroom House, also known as the TreeHouse.
Imagine going on vacation and waking up to see the breathtaking Swiss Alps in front of you, lying in bed and feeling the cool wind of the mountains on your skin. It may sound like a dream, but Zero Real Estate has made it a reality.
